Finial having a decorative insert

ABSTRACT

A finial assembly includes a sleeve and a finial. The sleeve has a first end and a second end and the finial is mounted on the first end of the sleeve. The finial includes a band of rigid material configured to form a central opening, a decorative insert removably disposed in the central opening and a first set screw. The first set screw serves to tighten the band about the decorative insert and also serves to secure the finial against movement relative to the sleeve. A window covering support rod or a holdback bracket is press fit into the second end of the sleeve. A second set screw further secures the window covering support rod or holdback bracket to the sleeve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to finials for window covering support rods, window covering holdback brackets and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a finial which includes a decorative insert.

Finials are well known in the art and widely used accessory items for window coverings such as curtains and drapes. Finials are usually mounted on the ends of a support rod for the window covering or onto the holdback end of a holdback bracket for the window covering so as to provide a decorative touch to the support rod or holdback bracket as well as well as to prevent damage to the window covering.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,595 to J. L. Daniels et al which issued on Jul. 1, 1997, and is assigned to Newell Operating Company there is disclosed a finial support arrangement for a window covering and the like, including a hollow ended support rod or tube, a support sleeve lodged within the rod, and a decorative finial supported in and by the sleeve. The finial includes a support post that is force or interference fitted into the sleeve. The sleeve, in turn, is force or interference fitted into the tube. The sleeve is made of a material that is softer than the support post and may be deformed during insertion of the post. The arrangement is particularly useful for supporting cast or wrought metal finials in rigid support tubes or rods, and alleviates the need for close tolerances on either the tube interior diameter or the support post outer diameter that would otherwise be needed to provide the desired interference fit.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,221 to D. K. Bried, et al. which issued on Sep. 23, 1997, and is assigned to Newell Operating Company there is disclosed a socket for mounting a finial on either of two telescoping tubular support rods which includes a first engagement surface that enters into and contacts the smaller rod and a second engagement surface that surrounds and contacts the larger rod. The engagement surfaces wedge into an interference or force fit with the rod ends to maintain the finial on the rods. The surfaces are preferably defined by the side walls of an annular groove shaped to conform to the cross section of the support rod. The socket includes slots for mounting the finial on a holdback bracket. The slots are conveniently formed as widened regions of the annular groove and are positioned in diametrically opposed locations to permit top-to-bottom symmetrical finials to be inverted about a horizontal axis and front-to-back symmetrical finials to be inverted about a vertical axis for mounting on the left or the right side of a window opening.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,180, which issued to S. Yu on Oct. 16, 2001, and is assigned to PiingHeh Enterprise Co. Ltd. there is disclosed a retaining device for decoration articles secured to the ends of the suspension rod of a Venetian blind. One end of each decoration article is provided with a cylindrical receiving cavity of a proper depth. The receiving cavity is defined in a tapered manner with its diameter gradually decreased inwardly to form an abutment wall for use in a suspension rod of a larger diameter which can be inserted into the decoration article and firmly held in place. At the boom of the cavity is disposed an axially extended retaining post which has a plurality of radially protruded retaining plates. The front end of each retaining plate is provided with a smoothly arched edge and each retaining plate is gradually tapered with its height gradually increased inwardly. The retaining post is adapted for holding a suspension rod of smaller diameter which is inserted into the decoration article with the tapered retaining plates each having smoothly arched front edge of the retaining post in firm abutment with the inner surface of the suspension rod.

Other U.S. patents and published patent applications of interest are U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,092 which issued on Dec. 14, 2004, to B. Hsu and is assigned to Ching-Feng Blinds Co. Ltd.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,801, which issued on Sep. 5, 2000, in the names of J. L. Daniels, et al. and is assigned to Newell Window Furnishings, Inc. and Published Application 2005/025159, published on Nov. 17, 2005, in the names of A. Zoroufy et al.

Also, a ball shaped finial which can be painted or covered with fabric material is known in the art.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved decorative finial.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved finial assembly.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and improved window covering holdback bracket.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved finial system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a finial for a window covering support rod and a window covering holdback bracket and the like, the finial comprising a band of rigid material configured to form a central opening of a desired size and shape, the band having a first end and a second end, the two ends being spaced apart and facing each other, the first end having an unthreaded hole and the second end having a threaded hole, the two holes being aligned with each other, a decorative insert disposed within the central opening, and a first set screw extending through the unthreaded hole in the first end of the band and screwed into the threaded hole in the second end of the band for securing the decorative insert against movement in the central opening.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a finial assembly adapted for mounting on a window covering support rod or a window covering holdback bracket, the finial assembly comprising a finial and a sleeve, the finial including a band of rigid material, a decorative insert and a first set screw, the band of rigid material configured to form a central opening of a desired size and shape, the band having first and second ends spaced apart and facing each other, the first end having an unthreaded hole and the second end having a threaded hole, the two holes being aligned with each other, the decorative insert being about the same size and shape as the central opening and being disposed within the central opening, the sleeve having a first portion terminating in an end and a second portion terminating in an end, the first portion including first and second diametrically opposed holes near the end, the ends of the band extending into the first portion of the sleeve, the set screw extending through the first in the sleeve, then through the unthreaded hole in the first end of band, then screwed into the threaded hole in the second end of the band and then extending into the second hole in the sleeve, the set screw serving to tighten the band about the decorative insert so as to secure the decorative insert against movement in the band and also serving to secure the finial against movement in the sleeve. The support rod or holdback bracket is press fit into the left portion of the sleeve.

According to still another aspect of this invention there is provided a finial for a window covering support rod, a window covering holdback bracket and the like, the finial including a band of rigid material, a decorative insert and a set screw, the band of rigid material configured to form a central opening and having a first end including an unthreaded hole and a second end having a threaded hole, the decorative insert comprising a block of sturdy material covered with a piece of fabric which is fixedly secured to the block, the decorative insert being disposed in the central opening, the set screw extending through an unthreaded hole in the band and screwed into a threaded hole in the band for tightening the band about the decorative insert so as to secure the decorative insert against movement within the central opening.

According to yet still another aspect of this invention, there is provided a finial system comprising a window covering holdback bracket and a finial attached to the holdback bracket, wherein the finial includes a band of rigid material and a set screw, the band of rigid material having a pair of ends which are spaced apart and facing each other, the first end having an unthreaded hole and the second end having a threaded hole, the two holes being aligned with each other, the holdback bracket having a first leg and a second leg, a flange including an unthreaded hole integrally formed on the second leg, wherein when assembled, the flange is disposed between the ends of the band and wherein the band is secured in place by the set screw which passes through the hole in the first end of the band, then passes through the hole in the flange and then is screwed into the threaded hole in the second end of the band.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided holdback bracket having a first leg and a second leg and a flange extending outward from the second leg, the flange including a hole for use in mounting a finial.

Various features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments for practicing this invention. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 is a plan view broken away in part of a finial constructed according to this invention and fully assembled;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view in section of the band in the finial shown in FIG. 1, before assembly;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the decorative insert in the finial shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the finial shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along lines AA of the finial shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view partly in section of a finial assembly constructed according to this invention. Also shown is a fragmentary view of a window covering support rod on which the finial assembly is mounted;

FIG. 6A is a section view of the sleeve shown in the finial assembly in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view partly in section of the finial assembly and window covering support rod shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view of the finial assembly shown in FIG. 6 and a fragmentary view of a cylindrical holdback bracket on which the finial assembly is mounted;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the finial shown in FIG. 1. Also shown is another holdback bracket on which the finial is mounted;

FIG. 9A is a fragmentary view of the holdback bracket shown in FIG. 9, and

FIG. 10 is fragmentary plan view partly in section and taken from the rear of the finial and a portion of the holdback bracket shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is shown in FIG. 1 a plan view of a finial constructed according to this invention and identified by reference numeral 11.

Finial 11 comprises a band 13, a decorative insert 15 and a first set screw 17.

Band 13, see also FIGS. 2 and 4, is made up of a strip of a rigid material such as iron, steel, aluminum or plastic. Band 13 has an inner surface 19 and outer surface 21 and is configured to form a central opening 23 of a desired size and shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, central opening 23 has a “teardrop” configuration; however, this is for illustrative purposes only. Some other examples of possible shapes, of central opening 23 are circular, oval, diamond, rectangular and star shaped. Band 13 has first and second ends 25 and 27 which are spaced apart a distance D1 with the inner surface 19 of ends 25 and 27 facing each other. End 25 has a hole 29 which is not threaded while end 27 has a hole 31 which is threaded. Holes 27 and 29 are aligned with each other.

Decorative insert 15, see also FIGS. 2 and 5, has about the same configuration and size as central opening 23 and is disposed in central opening 23. Decorative insert 15, see FIG. 5, includes a block 33 of a sturdy material, such as fiber board or plywood. The block 33 may be a block of fiber board sold by Rowley Company LLS of 230 Meek Road, Gastonia, N.C. 28056 under the name Bendable Fiber Board. Block 33 has about the same thickness t as the width w of band 13 and is cut to the appropriate size and shape to fit within central opening 23. Block 33 is covered by a piece 35 of fabric cut to the appropriate size and shape. Piece 35 is secured to block 33 by any suitable means such as glue. Another example of a securing means is staples.

Set screw 17 has threads which match the threads in hole 31.

In assembling finial 11, insert 15 is first placed in central opening 23 in band 13. Then, first set screw 17 is passed through hole 29 in band 13 and then screwed into threaded hole 31 in band 13. As screw 17 is screwed into threaded hole 31, end 27 of band 13 is pulled towards end 25 of band 13 so as to tighten band 13 about decorative insert 15. When fully tightened, screw 17 prevents movement of decorative insert 15 within central opening 23 in band 13.

As can be appreciated, because of the set screw arrangement for tightening band 13 about insert 15, fabrics of different thicknesses can be used without having to make any changes in the size of block 33 to compensate for such differences or changes in the construction of band 13.

In FIG. 1, finial 11 is shown with band 13 fully tightened about insert 15 while in FIG. 2 band 13 is shown before set screw 17 is inserted into hole 29. Also, in FIG. 2 the separation D2 between ends 25 and 27 is greater than the separation D1 between ends 25 and 27 in FIG. 1.

The finial of this invention may be mounted on a window covering support rod or onto a holdback bracket or the like as will hereinafter be described in more detail.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 6A and 7 there is shown in FIG. 6 a view, partly in section, of a finial assembly constructed according to this invention and identified by reference numeral 41. Also shown in FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a window covering support rod identified by reference numeral 43 to which finial assembly 41 is mounted. Support rod 43 can either be hollow or solid.

An assembled view of finial assembly 41 and support rod 43 is shown in FIG. 6 and an exploded view of the finial assembly 41 and support rod 43 is shown in FIG. 7.

Finial assembly 41 includes a finial 45 and a sleeve 47, sleeve 47 serving to couple finial 45 to support rod 43. A section view of sleeve 47 is shown in FIG. 6A.

Finial 45 is identical to finial 11 in that it includes a band 49 of rigid material having a central opening 51 and first and second ends 52-1 and 52-2, a decorative insert 53, a set screw 55, an unthreaded hole 59 at first end 52-1 of band 49 and a threaded hole 61 that is threaded at the second end 52-2 of band 49 all of which elements are identical to band 13, central opening 23, decorative insert 15, set screw 17, threaded hole 29, unthreaded hole 31, respectively, in finial 11.

Sleeve 47 is an elongated tubular member having a first portion 63 terminating on an open end 65 and a second portion 67 terminating in an open end 69. Sleeve 47 is preferably made of a metal such as iron. First portion 63 of sleeve 47 has a sidewall 71 which includes an inner surface 73 and an outer surface 75 while second portion 67 of sleeve 47 has a sidewall 77 which includes an inner surface 79 and an outer surface 81. A pair of diametrically opposed holes unthreaded 83 and 85 are formed on sidewall 75 near first end 65. The internal cross-sectional diameter D1 of second portion 67 of sleeve 47 is preferably greater than the internal cross-sectional diameter D2 of first portion 63 of sleeve 47 so as to provide a common wall 87 between first portion 63 and second portion 67 of sleeve 47.

Ends 52-1 and 52-2 of band 49 extend into first portion 63 of sleeve 47 through end 65.

Set screw 55 passes through unthreaded hole 83 in sleeve 47, then through unthreaded hole 59 in band 49, is screwed into threaded hole 61 in band 49 and then extends into unthreaded hole 85 in sleeve. As set screw 55 is screwed into threaded hole 61 in band 49, end 52-2 of band 49 is pulled towards end 52-1 of band 49 so as to tighten band 49 about decorative insert 53. As such, screw 55 when tightened, prevents movement of decorative insert 53 within central opening 51 in band 49. At the same time, screw 55 prevents rotational and axial movement of finial within sleeve 47.

Window covering support rod 43 has an external cross-sectional diameter D3 about the same as the internal cross-sectional diameter D1 of sleeve 47 at second portion and is press fit into second portion 63 of sleeve 47 through right end 69. Since the internal cross-sectional diameter D4 of second portion 63 of sleeve 47 is greater than the internal cross-sectional diameter D2 of left portion 67 at end 65, common wall 87 serves as a stop to limit the extent to which support rod 43 can be inserted into sleeve 47.

Finial assembly 41 may also include a second set screw 88 which is screwed into a threaded hole 88-1 in sleeve 47 and abuts up against support rod 43 to further secure support rod 43 in place.

Referring now to FIG. 8 there is shown an exploded view of finial assembly 41 mounted onto the holdback portion 89 of a window covering holdback bracket 91. Holdback portion 89 is tubular in cross-section and sized so that it can be press fit into second end 65 of sleeve 47 in the same manner as support rod 43 is inserted into second end of sleeve 65 in FIG. 7.

As can be appreciated, the decorative insert of this invention can easily be installed into the central opening in the band of rigid material and removed from the band of rigid material, if so desired for any reason, by simply unscrewing the set screw holding the decorative insert in place.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 10, there is shown in FIG. 9 an end view of a finial system, identified by reference numeral 93, constructed according to this invention.

A fragmentary view of the end of the holdback bracket shown in FIG. 9 having the flange is shown in FIG. 9A.

A fragmentary plan view of finial system 93 taken in the direction of arrows A, and partly in section is shown in FIG. 10.

Finial system 93 includes a finial 95 and a holdback bracket 97.

Finial 95 is identical to finial 11 and includes a band 99 of rigid material, a decorative insert 101 and a set screw 103, corresponding to band 13, insert 15 and set screw 17, respectively in finial 11.

Holdback bracket 97 is generally J shaped and includes a base portion 105, a first leg 107 at one end of base portion 105 and a second leg 109 at the other end of base portion 105. Second leg 109 includes a pair of screw holes 111 and 113 for mounting holdback bracket 97 to a wall W or window frame. A flange 111 having an unthreaded hole 113 is integrally formed and extends outward from first leg 107 in the direction of second leg 109. In FIG. 10, the back surface of insert 101 is shown and identified by reference numeral 102.

Band 99 of rigid material is configured to form a central opening of a predetermined size and shape as in finial 11 and has a first end 115 and a second end 117. Ends 115 and 117 are spaced apart and facing each other. Each 115 and 117 has a hole 119 and 121. Hole 121 at the second end 117 being threaded, and hole 119 at the first end 115 not being threaded, the two holes 119 and 121 being aligned with each other.

Decorative insert 101 is disposed in the central opening in band 99. First set screw 103 extends through hole 119 in first end 115 of band 99, passes through hole 113 in flange 111 and is screwed into hole 121 in second end 117 of band 99. First set screw 103 secures decorative insert 101 against movement in the central opening and also secures finial 95 against movement with respect to holdback bracket 97.

As can be appreciated, the finial of this invention can be used in at least four ways, namely, (1) the ends of the band in the finial can be mounted directly into one end of a hollow window covering support rod (2) the ends of the band in the finial can be mounted directly into an end of a tubular holdback bracket, (3) the finial can be mounted into a sleeve which is then attached to either a support rod or a holdback bracket and (4) the finial can be mounted on a holdback bracket having a mounting flange.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As examples, instead of an insert comprising a block of sturdy material and a piece of fabric, the insert could comprise a block of sturdy material which is painted or silk screened or beaded or embroidered as desired. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A finial for use with a window covering support rod, a window covering holdback bracket and the like, the finial comprising: (a) a band of rigid material; (b) a decorative insert; and (c) a first set screw; (d) the band of rigid material being configured to form a central opening of a predetermined size and shape and having a first end and a second end, the two ends being spaced apart and facing each other, each end having a hole, the hole at the second end being threaded, the two holes being aligned with each other; (e) the decorative insert being disposed in the central opening; (f) the first set screw extending through the hole in the first end and then screwed into the hole in the second end for tightening the band about the decorative insert so as to secure the decorative insert against movement in the central opening.
 2. The finial of claim 1 wherein the band of rigid material is a metal.
 3. The finial of claim 2, wherein the band of rigid material is iron.
 4. The finial of claim 3 wherein the decorative insert comprises a block of sturdy material and a piece of fabric.
 5. The finial of claim 4 wherein the piece of fabric is sized and cut so as to at least partly cover the block of sturdy material.
 6. The finial of claim 5 wherein the piece of fabric is fixedly secured to the block of sturdy material.
 7. A finial assembly adapted for mounting on a window covering support rod comprising: (a) a finial; and (b) a sleeve; (c) the finial including .a band of rigid material, a decorative insert and a set screw; (d) the band of rigid material configured to form a central opening of a predetermined size and shape and having a first end and a second end, the two ends being spaced apart and facing each other, the first end having a hole and the second end having a hole, the hole at the first end being unthreaded, the hole at the second end being threaded, the two holes being aligned with each other; (e) the decorative insert being disposed in the central opening; (f) the sleeve being an elongated tubular member having a sidewall, a first end and a second end, the sidewall near the first end having a first hole and a second hole, the two holes being diametrically opposed and unthreaded; (g) the two ends of the band extending into the sleeve at the first end, a distance such that the two holes in the band and the two holes in the sleeve are all aligned with each other; (h) the set screw passing through the first hole in the sleeve, then passing through the hole in the first end of the band, then being screwed into the hole in the second end of the band and then extending into the second hole in the sleeve, the set screw serving to tighten the band about the decorative insert so as to secure the decorative insert against movement in the band and also serving to secure the finial against movement in the sleeve; (i) the support rod being press fit into the sleeve at the second end.
 8. The finial assembly of claim 7 wherein the band of rigid material is a metal.
 9. The finial assembly of claim 8 wherein the decorative insert is about the same size and shape as the central opening in the band.
 10. The finial assembly of claim 9 wherein the decorative insert comprises a sheet of base material and a piece of fabric.
 11. The finial assembly of claim 10 wherein the piece of fabric at least partly covers the base.
 12. The finial assembly of claim 11 wherein the piece of fabric is secured to the base by a layer of glue.
 13. The finial assembly of claim 12 wherein the sleeve is made of iron.
 14. A finial assembly adapted for mounting on a holdback bracket of the type including a tubular holdback portion comprising: (a) a finial; and (b) a sleeve; (c) the finial including a band of rigid material, a decorative insert and a set screw; (d) the band of rigid material being configured to form a central opening of a predetermined size and shape and having a first end and a second end, the two ends being spaced apart and facing each other, the first end having a hole and the second end having a hole, the hole at the first end being unthreaded and the hole at the second end being threaded, the two holes being aligned with each other; (e) the decorative inset being disposed in the central opening; (f) the sleeve being an elongated tubular member having a sidewall, a first end and a second end, the sidewall near the first end having a first hole and a second hole, the two holes being diametrically opposed; (g) the two ends of the band extending into the sleeve at the first end a distance such that the two holes in the band and the two holes in the sleeve are all aligned with each other; (h) wherein the set screw passes through the first hole in the sleeve, then passes through the hole in the first end of the band, then is screwed into the hole in the second end of the band and then extends into the second hole in the sleeve, the set screw serving to tighten the band about the decorative insert so as to secure the decorative insert against movement in the board also and serving to secure the finial against movement in the sleeve; (i) the holdback portion being press fit into the sleeve at the left end.
 15. The finial assembly of claim 14, wherein the band of rigid material is metal.
 16. A finial assembly of claim 15 wherein the decorative insert is about the same size and shape as the central opening in the band.
 17. The finial assembly of claim 16 wherein the decorative insert comprises a sheet of board material and a piece of fabric.
 18. The finial assembly of claim 17wherein the piece of fabric material is secured to the sheet of board material by a layer of glue.
 19. A finial adapted for mounting on a J shaped window covering holdback bracket including a leg having a flange, the flange having a hole, the finial comprising: (a) a band of rigid material; (b) a decorative insert; and (c) a first set screw; (d) the band of rigid material being configured to form a central opening of a predetermined size and shape and having a first end and a second end, the two ends being spaced apart and facing each other, each end having a hole, the hole at the second end being threaded, the two holes being aligned with each other; (e) the decorative insert being disposed in the central opening; (f) the first set screw extending through the hole in the first end of the band and then passing through the hole in the flange and then screwed into the hole in the second end of the band, the first set screw securing the decorative insert against movement in he central opening and also securing the finial against movement with respect to the holdback portion of the holdback bracket.
 20. A finial system comprising: (a) a finial; and (b) a holdback bracket, the holdback bracket adapted to be mounted onto a wall or the like and having a J shaped member including a leg having a flange, the flange having an unthreaded hole; (c) the finial including a band of rigid material, a decorative insert and a set screw; (d) the band of rigid material configured to form a central opening of a desired size and shape and having a first end and a second end which are spaced apart and facing each other, the first end having an unthreaded hole and the second end having a threaded hole, the two holes being aligned with each other; (e) the decorative insert being disposed in the central opening; (f) the flange being disposed between the two ends of the band; (g) the set screw passing through the unthreaded hole in the band, then passing through the unthreaded hole in the flange and then being screwed into the threaded hole in band, the set screw serving to tighten the band about the decorative insert so as to secure the decorative insert against movement in the band and also serving to secure the finial against movement relative to the holdback portion of the holdback bracket. 